Q. In past years, when rainfall has been middling, Rabbanim in Eretz Yisroel (and perhaps other countries) have called for extra tefillos to appeal to Hashem to send rain – so with this year’s surfeit of gishmei brachah, said Israeli Agriculture Minister Uri Ariel, it’s only fitting that Hashem be thanked for the bounty that has helped refill aquifers, streams and even the Kinneret to some extent. He would like to suggest a special day of thanksgiving for the rain that has fallen until now.
What is the Rav's opinion about his suggestion?
A. Talmud Brachos (59b) and Shulchan Aruch (O.H. 221: 1) rule on reciting a special thanksgiving and appreciation brocho when rains come after a drought. Although there are various details when and where this blessing is recited, there is no question that each individual benefiting from the rains is obliged to thank Hashem in his own words, for the great chesed rains represent.
Beer Hatora (Vaera p. 92) and others teach that since the brocho mentions to thank Hashem for every single drop and drop that rains, it is not enough to recite a "brocho k'lalis" on one single occasion, but to constantly and in every day express our thanks. They compare it to the saying of the Sages (Bereshis Rabba 14, Yalkut Tehilim 150) on the last verse of Psalms; "Kol Haneshama" "Let every soul praise Hashem - for every breath and breath we take"
Whether a special day for rain-thanksgiving should be established, when and by who and for whom, is obviously highly controversial. It could be seen by many as a mere political maneuver, especially with the religious history of the Minister suggesting it.
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that in times of hoda'a, thanks and praise to Hashem, it may be advisable to avoid organizing public acts that by the very nature of their organization and support, may show and cause further division in our ranks.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit'a
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